A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sandy Onor, has expressed support for the removal of subsidy on petroleum products by President Bola Tinubu but blamed poor implementation and lack of accountability for the hardship currently experienced by Nigerians. He insisted that the gains of the policy had not adequately reached the grassroots.
Onor's Remarks After PDP Screening
The former lawmaker spoke on Thursday in Abuja shortly after undergoing screening for the PDP presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, although opposition parties must hold the government accountable, it would be intellectually dishonest to condemn every action of the current administration.
“On my assessment of the president’s administration, to be very honest with you, I’m not one of those persons who, because you are in the opposition, will condemn everything the president has done. That’s not intellectually right. That’s not even socially and politically correct,” he said.
Subsidy Removal as a Necessary Reform
The aspirant noted that subsidy had long been identified as a major source of corruption and fiscal leakages, adding that successive administrations lacked the courage to confront the issue. He said: “When it came to the issue of subsidy removal, he could not do so. In spite of the fact that Nigerians universally agree that subsidy was a problem and a bastion of corruption, this president came on his very first day in office, removed subsidy and released a lot of funds for development.”
Call for Accountability and Grassroots Impact
Onor, however, argued that the challenge lies in ensuring that the resources generated from the policy directly impact ordinary Nigerians. “I believe that releasing those funds is one achievement. Ensuring that the funds circulate to the people and have meaning is another. I think that those who are his downliners have not done justice to the enormous funds released by virtue of subsidy removal,” he added.
He pledged that if elected president, his administration would enforce strict accountability in the management of public funds and ensure that the benefits of economic reforms reach communities across the country. “I will ensure that accountability right up to the grassroots level is maintained and our people feel the positive impact of subsidy removal,” he stated.
PDP's Strength and Internal Unity
The PDP chieftain also dismissed concerns over the party’s current strength, insisting that the PDP remains capable of reclaiming power at the centre despite internal crises and defections. According to him, the party’s problems have largely been resolved following the Supreme Court judgment affirming the leadership of the party.
“The narrative that the PDP still has issues is fertilised by the press. It is you that gives the impression that we still have issues. We have no issues. The Supreme Court of this country has laid the issue to rest,” he said.
On the Absence of Serving Governors
Onor further declared that he was not worried about the absence of serving governors within the PDP fold, maintaining that the party’s strength lies with the grassroots. “Some of these governors were even a problem to us. It’s good that they left. We believe that our campaign will be centred on the grassroots. The governors are not voting for us; Nigerians will vote for us,” he said.
Addressing Insecurity Through Local Government Reform
On insecurity, the aspirant linked the worsening security situation to poverty and weak local government administration, promising to strengthen local councils and guarantee full financial autonomy for them if elected. He argued that properly funded local governments would help address ungoverned spaces, empower traditional rulers and local vigilante groups, and create employment opportunities for youths.
“When you have local governments that are not properly funded, you will have a lot of ungoverned spaces in the country. I will ensure that local governments are properly funded and that youth unemployment is checked,” he said.
